Expressing admiration for the deep cultural and civilizational ties between India and Thailand, the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi witnessed an enriching performance of the Thai Ramayana-Ramakien in Bangkok, Thailand.

In separate posts on X, he wrote: “A cultural connect like no other! Witnessed a captivating performance of the Thai Ramayana, Ramakien. It was a truly enriching experience that beautifully showcased the shared cultural and civilizational ties between India and Thailand. The Ramayana truly continues to connect hearts and traditions across so many parts of Asia.”

Ramakien is a Thai version of the ancient Indian epic Ramayana, and an important part of the Thai literary canon. King Rama VI was the first person to shed light on the Ramayana studies in Thailand, by tracing the sources of the Ramakien, comparing it with the Sanskrit Valmiki Ramayana.

The Ramakien is a fascinating tale about good triumphing over evil following the battle between King Rama and Tosakanth, the King of the Demons. Tosakanth falls in love with King Rama's queen, named Sida. He kidnaps her and takes her to his palace in Krung Longka with the hope that she will fall in love with him.

The Ramakien, as the Ramayana is known in Thailand, is the country's national epic. Although the story has been told for hundreds of years, the earliest versions have been lost, so the retelling by King Rama I is the one most commonly studied. The Thai version of the epic is known as the Ramakien. The Rama story is thought to have been known to the Thais since at least the 13th century.

After the victory, Phra Rama tests Nang Sida's loyalty by ordering her to prove her purity through an ordeal by fire. She emerges unharmed, proving her innocence. Phra Rama and Sida return to Ayodhya where he becomes the rightful king, and his reign marks a period of prosperity and justice.

All kings in the current Chakri dynasty of Thailand are often referred to as King Rama in the world. The name Rama was adopted from the name of the Hindu God Rama, an avatar of Vishnu.

The kingdom of Siam (Thailand) was established in the first half of the 13th century. Ayutthaya, around 70 kilometers north of Bangkok, became the most important city and capital of the kingdom of Siam. The word Ayutthaya has its roots in Ayodhya, the birthplace of Lord Ram

Ramayana Hanuman is one of the main heroes in this famous Thai epic, Ramakien He is the most loyal soldier to Lord Rama. According to the Thai literature, Hanuman is a monkey son of the Wind God. He possesses mighty power and strength abilities.

Ramakien is the Thai-language rendition of the Indic tale of Rama, a god born into a royal family and tasked with upholding moral virtue. The frame story of abduction and battle is modeled on the Indian Ramayana by the poet Valmiki, but there are many differences in tone and character.

King Vajiralongkorn is considered to be the upholder of Buddhism in Thailand, but is designated as Rama, a Hindu God. What is even more intriguing is that his coronation ceremony was carried out by a group of Royal Thai Brahmins who trace their origins to Hindu Brahmins of India.

India Thailand Ties

India and Thailand have been culturally linked for centuries, with India deeply influencing Thai culture. Thai borrows a substantial number of words from Sanskrit, India's classical language. Pali, which was the language of Magadha and is the medium of Theravada, is another important root of Thai vocabulary.

Moreover, India and Thailand have been culturally linked for centuries, with India deeply influencing Thai culture. It is deeply rooted in traditional religious practices. The Thai cultural habits are similar to those practiced in the Hindu culture. First of all, the salutation to welcome or greet each other is Wai, a gesture of bowing which is very common in India where people greet each other with Namaskar.

Thailand and India have shared a profound relationship spanning centuries, rooted in cultural, economic, and diplomatic interactions that have evolved from early exchanges of ideas and traditions into robust diplomatic ties in the modern era.

Located in South Asia, India now is becoming more powerful politically and economically on the global stage, viewed as a vital market for investment and business expansion thanks to its population of more than 1.4 billion.

According to the Indian Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in September last year, India is considered the third-largest economy in Asia based on nominal gross domestic product, driven by its dynamic growth, youthful population, and expanding economy.

According to the Thai Foreign Ministry, the Thai government officially established diplomatic ties with India in 1947. However, unofficial ties between the two nations go back much further, rooted in the deep influence of Indian culture on the Thai way of life.

The cultural connection between Thailand and India dates back more than 2,500 years, beginning with the spread of Buddhism during the reign of Emperor Ashoka, according to the Thai government.

This religious transmission significantly influenced Thai culture, art, and architecture. For instance, the Thai language incorporates numerous Sanskrit terms, reflecting deep Indian linguistic influence.

Also, traditional Thai dance forms and classical literature exhibit elements derived from Indian epics such as the Ramayana. According to the Thai Foreign Ministry, in 1917, Indian Nobel Prize winner and polymath Rabindranath Tagore visited Thailand, leading to more collaboration between the two nations in building more religious venues in the Southeast Asian kingdom.

In 1957, Thailand built Wat Thai Buddhagaya in Bodh Gaya, India, to mark Buddhism’s 2,500th anniversary, showcasing Thai culture and fostering Buddhism in India. The approximately 150,000 Thai citizens of Indian descent formed associations such as the Thai-Indian Chamber of Commerce and the Sikh Association of Thailand, a Thai government survey noted in 2021. There is even a Little India Town in Bangkok.

The economic relationship between Thailand and India has expanded significantly, driven by shared interests and regional cooperation.

According to Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, bilateral trade reached US$17.7 billion in 2021, with Thailand exporting goods worth $8.1 billion and importing $9.6 billion worth from India. Both countries aim to raise trade to $35 billion by 2025.

India is also Thailand’s largest trading partner in South Asia, with key sectors including automobiles, machinery, jewellery, and chemicals driving this exchange. Notably, the ASEAN nation is a significant source of India’s automobile imports, while India is a key supplier of pharmaceutical products and textiles to Thailand.

Investment ties are equally strong. Indian businesses have invested more than $2 billion in Thailand, particularly in the IT (information technology), hospitality, and consumer-goods sectors.

Meanwhile, Thai companies such as CP Group and Dusit Thani have explored opportunities in India’s vast market, focusing on food processing and hospitality.

The two nations cooperate on key global issues through such platforms as ASEAN, BIMSTEC, and the United Nations. India is a significant partner in Thailand’s Indo-Pacific initiatives, reflecting mutual interests in maritime security and economic connectivity, according to the Thai Foreign Ministry.

In 2024, during the 10th Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation, leaders reaffirmed their collaboration in defense, cybersecurity, space technology, and military industries. Notably, India supplies advanced military equipment to Thailand, strengthening the latter’s defense capabilities.